Sunday, August 30, 2015

A decent place in which to live is a right for
everybody, including people with disabilities. Title VIII of the Civil Rights
Act of 1968 (also known as the Fair Housing Act) states people are not
supposed to face discrimination in renting, buying, or financing a home on the
basis of disability as well as other factors. Renters with disabilities should
not be afraid to ask their landlord if modifications can be made to make their
apartment or home more accessible. For more information about fair housing, go
to http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/FHLaws/yourrights.

Saturday, August 22, 2015

We're almost halfway through hurricane season, and there's a hurricane in the Atlantic Ocean. So, now is the time for people with disabilities to think about how to prepare for hurricanes and other emergencies. First of all, you should gather information to help you make a plan. Then, discuss your plan with relatives and caregivers. Finally, assemble a kit with necessary items such as food and water, medications, and batteries. Review your plan, and maintain your kit on a regular basis. A disaster preparedness guide with more information is available at http://www.redcross.org/images/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m4240199_A4497.pdf.

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Founded 40 years ago under a different name, the
Association for Severe Handicaps (TASH) is a disability advocacy group. The items
on its national agenda are inclusive education, community living, employment,
diversity and cultural competency, and human rights. Hosting an annual
conference and regional conferences, TASH is active in 13 states and
Washington, D.C., as well as other countries. For more information about this
organization, go to tash.org.

Saturday, August 15, 2015

In an effort to increase diversity, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is hiring people with disabilities. A BBC article (located at http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-33618473) describes one employee's experience.

Monday, August 3, 2015

Since this is the time of year when
children go back to school, today’s blog post is about exceptional student
education (ESE) for those with disabilities. According to Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act as well as the ADA (please see my previous blog post for a
description of the ADA), people with physical and/or mental impairments cannot
be denied the opportunity to be educated. It is possible for children with disabilities
to receive an education with understanding and flexibility from educators.

K-12 students with special needs and their
parents must discuss with teachers the accommodations needed to make the
educational experience productive and positive. One option is a 504 plan, which
lists the items students with disabilities need to be at the same level with their
non-disabled classmates. An Individualized Education Plan (IEP), an item from
the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, goes beyond the 504 plan by
providing services to some students with disabilities, allowing them to receive
instruction and take tests under different conditions if necessary. College students with disabilities can make their special needs known to professors by going to the disability services office at their school.